“A jewel in the Dolomites, peaceful, with everything you need to spend a beautiful vacation. Both in winter and summer.”
Or: ‘The place is completely immersed in nature. One can hardly believe that such places still exist. It’s like being in a fairy tale. Fantastic.’ But also, ‘The local people are fantastic, there is good living, good skiing and good food here!’
If the best publicity is the opinion of those who have been there, you only need to scroll through the online reviews to understand that Arabba is not (only) so much a pleasant tourist resort, but a real corner of paradise on earth.
We are in Italy, in the adventurous Belluno Dolomites, in Valle di Fodom to be precise, one of the five valleys that make up the enclave of Ladinia. Venice is only a two-hour drive away.
Arabba lies at the foot of the Sella massif, one of the most iconic features of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at 1,602 m above sea level, set like a pearl between the Pordoi Pass and the Campolongo Pass. And, opposite, the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’: the Marmolada, which at 3,343 m is the highest point of all the Dolomites.
In this unique and evocative setting, Arabba is an ideal place to rediscover a people-focused dimension in every season: clean air, unspoiled nature, zero stress and endless outdoor activities.
Winter: a ski area unique in the World
In winter, Arabba has a privileged position, allowing you to be in the midst of an almost infinite network of slopes: in fact, Arabba forms part of one of the largest ski circuits in the world, the Dolomiti Superski, and, with its Arabba-Marmolada ski area, it offers snow enthusiasts more than 60 km of snow-covered and groomed slopes, strategically connected by 26 modern ski lifts, walkable from every corner of the village.
Arabba is a strategic starting point for the Sellaronda ski tour and the First World War Ski Tour. In addition, you have the opportunity to experience all dimensions of snow: both the more adrenaline-filled ones, such as ski mountaineering or steep skiing, accompanied by a local mountain guide; and the quieter ones, such as snowshoeing or winter trekking on marked trails.
Summer: on foot or by bike, between nature and culture
In summer, Arabba is the privileged starting point for immersing oneself in the heart of the Dolomites, with regenerating walks and hikes in the midst of nature and silence, among irregular spires and majestic walls, where, moreover, countless high-altitude itineraries and vie ferrate and climbing areas are designed.
For cycling enthusiasts, on the other hand, Arabba offers the great climbs of the Giro d’Italia (Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, Campolongo, Giau, Fedaia, Falzarego), and also the possibility of multiple trails and Mbt tours, served by ski lifts.
Those who prefer a vacation dedicated to culture and history can (re)discover Ladin traditions, customs and traditions at the Ladin Museum, or visit Andraz Castle, a fortification dating back to the 11th century. The whole area, then, was the scene of the battles of World War I: from Mount Col di Lana to the Sacrarium of Pian di Salesei, to the Ossuary of Passo Pordoi, where the Great War Museum is also located.
Hospitality: a thousand different options
And to round off a day of nature and sport, there is a wealth of Ladin hospitality on offer, with capacity for 3,000 guests and with 200 establishments including restaurants, hotels and other accommodation options: from wellness hotels, B&Bs with a typical alpine flavour, to residences, apartments, farm holidays and room rentals. Also not to be missed are the mountain refuges and the typical restaurants that overlook the village streets and the valley, where you can be tempted by the aroma of homemade Italian mountain pastries and delicacies.
For more information, please visit www.arabba.it
